The Health and Disability Commissioner has criticised an orthopaedic surgeon for not adequately explaining the risks of a hip replacement operation to a 62-year-old who subsequently had five hip dislocations.
The man complained to the commissioner about his care after having the dislocations, contracting an infection and sufferingvertigo, within 13 days of having both hips replaced.
The man had the replacement surgery at a private hospital on September 19, 2007.
The following morning his right hip dislocated when a ward nurse turned him to inspect his wound.
The orthopaedic surgeon was called and the man was returned to the operating theatre, where the hip was put back in place.
He was discharged and sent home after six days.
His left hip dislocated during his first night at home. He was taken to a public hospital where the dislocation was put back in under anaesthetic.
Three days later, his left hip dislocated again and was fixed at the public hospital.
The surgeon was contacted by the public hospital and options for treating the man were discussed.
Within 24 hours the man returned with another dislocation of his left hip. The hip was repaired and he was discharged with a hip splint and an appointment for the orthopaedic outpatient clinic.
Later that day his hip again dislocated and he was admitted to the public hospital.
After this second surgery, the man developed an infection in the wound. The antibiotics needed to combat the infection resulted in vertigo, which remained a problem a year later.
Health and Disability Commissioner Ron Paterson found the orthopaedic surgeon did not provide sufficient information to the man about the expected risks, including possible dislocation.
"Quite clearly [the doctor's] performance of this particular operation on both hips was sub-optimal," said Mr Paterson.
"I view the conduct of this surgery... with moderate disapproval."
However, Mr Paterson found the man did receive appropriate treatment and care from the private and public hospitals.
